Ebola Coverage Intensifies As News Becomes More Ominous; Bay Area Media Angle; Are Any Of You Freaked Out?

 The Ebola situation is now a crisis--or is it?

Frankly, I think I speak for a lot of people: we have heard and seen a lot but are we in panic-mode?

Yes, to some degree.

Even the people who cover this story are not immune to freaking out a bit, and the latest news will only add to the anxiety.

This much is certain: as a news story, Ebola has turned from mild in-thought-process into the general conversation of the day. And that's normal given the spate of news and potential news on the horizon.

Bay Area news outlets have provided basic coverage --most of it from network field reports. And the few local radio talk shows here have pretty much ignored it. Inevitably, an Ebola case is sure to break out here. I don't know for a fact of course but given the nature of the disease, again, it's inevitable.

How will it be covered? Are local outlets prepared to give us the information and coverage we desire? Time will tell. This is all very slightly unnerving at this point.

*Follow me on Twitter

Multiple Sources: Kevin Metheney Is Dead From Apparent Heart Attack; KGO/KSFO Opps Mgr; Was Portrayed in Howard Stern Movie, 'Private Parts'

8: PM PT--UPDATE--According to multiple station and broadcast sources, Mr.  Kevin Metheney is dead.
Taken to local hospital where emergency staff were unable to resuscitate him. His family was notified. Metheney had two teenage daughters.

*Developing...


UPDATE, 5: 38 PT: Am told by two sources that Metheney may have suffered heart attack.


UPDATE, 6: 03: I'm hearing, but have not confirmed some ominous news regarding Kevin Metheney. Two independent sources have told me of his medical situation.


It is critical.


**UPDATE: 6: 55: PT


Am told Metheney was found slumped over his desk, unresponsive, at KGO--was taken to local hospital where doctors tried to resuscitate him.


His family has been notified.


Three different sources have told me his condition. Awaiting another confirmation.


*Methany became Opps Mgr at KGO/KSFO in July and is best known as the quirky PD, portrayed by actor, Paul Giamatt, from the Howard Stern movie, "Private Parts."

Savage Tackles Chilling Ebola Virus On Syndicated Radio/KSFO Show; Ridicules CDC; 'They're Not Doctors--They're Politicians'; Says American Doctors Should Have Been Treated in Africa

 It is, either directly or indirectly, on the minds of millions of Americans and foreigners alike.  It's not a warm and fuzzy story either; doesn't involve a sexy movie, a celebrity mishap nor a trendy Facebook feature.


It is the Ebola virus, the deadly virus in the news. And spreading too.


Two American doctors who have the illness were brought home to the US in Atlanta and that story alone has heightened the early hysteria making its rounds through traditional and social media alike. Fortunately, reasonable officials are fairly confident we here don't have too much to worry about. Nevertheless,


Michael Savage, the syndicated, SF-based national talker, had an enlightened, if occasionally chilling but informative discussion of the Ebola Virus subject matter. It helps, too, that Savage has a Phd in epidemiology from Berkeley.


Savage began the program Monday reading from his own article asking why the American doctors were returned to the US. It wasn't reactionary nor heated, very much level-headed and legitimate about an item gripping the nation. "These patients should have been treated in Africa--there was no reason to bring them back to America."


Savage skewered CDC, (Centers for Disease Control), officials: "They're not doctors--they're politicians."


It was enlightening to hear a local program tackling an issue that, frankly, most of us don't know a whole lot about. Even as one of the doctors in Atlanta stricken seems to be getting better, another patient is being tested in New York for the virus. Chilling. Precisely all the reason Savage's program on Monday was both warranted and appreciated at least from this neck of the woods.


*Follow me on Twitter